How to recover video on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro after removal from the gallery: 7 proven ways

Delete an important video from Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro and don't know how to get it back? Don't panic - even if the file disappeared from the gallery, it can still be stored in the device's memory. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to recover, from standard MIUI features to advanced tools for Android. The important thing is to act quickly: the less time has passed since deletion, the better the chances of success.

Redmi 8 Pro (codename begonia) runs Android 9-12 with MIUI, which puts a lot of stress on the recovery process. For example, this firmware has a hidden.trash folder for temporary storage of deleted files, but it clears automatically after 30 days, and we'll show you how to find it manually, bypass MIUI limitations, and use third-party utilities if standard methods don't work.

So let's start with the simplest of ways, and we'll gradually move on to the more complex ones, with the Redmi 8 Pro and its F2FS/ext4 file system in mind.

1. MIUI Cart Check: Hidden folder.trash

The first thing to do is check the built-in MIUI Recycle Bin. Unlike standard Android, where deleted files are erased immediately, Xiaomi’s shell sends them to the hidden.trash directory by default. This folder is located at the root of internal memory, but does not appear in the default Explorer.

To find her:

• 📁 Open any file manager (e.g., Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer).
• 🔍 Enable the display of hidden files in the manager settings (usually in the Three Dots menu» → «Settings» → «Show hidden files»).
• 📂 Go to the root folder of internal memory (/storage/emulated/0/) And find the.trash folder.
• 🔄 If the folder is empty, check subfolders with names like video or media – sometimes files are sorted by type.

Important for Redmi 8 Pro: The.trash folder automatically clears after 30 days or when space is scarce (less than 500MB of free space) if the video has been deleted long ago, this method will not work.

⚠️ Note: Don't confuse the.trash folder with the Google Photos Recycle Bin. The latter only stores files for 60 days and only works for media uploaded to the cloud.

2. Restore via Google Photos (if synchronized)

If your Redmi 8 Pro is enabled to automatically upload to Google Photos, the chances of returning the video are very high.

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Cart.
3. Find the right video, highlight it and click Restore.

If the video is not in the cart, try:

• 🔎 Use a date search (e.g., enter a month of shooting).
• 📁 Check the Archive folder – sometimes files are moved there instead of deleting.
• 🌐 Go to the web version of Google Photos from a computer - it is more convenient to filter media there.

On Redmi 8 Pro, Google Photos may not work correctly if:

• 🚫 Background activity for the application is disabled (check in Settings) → Annexes → Google Photo → Battery).
• 📵 No Wi-Fi connection (synchronization is suspended when mobile Internet is available).
• 🔄 Google Photos Settings Select Original Quality, but Google Drive Settings End.

💡

If the video was shot in.MOV or.MKV format, Google Photos may not have downloaded it automatically. Check the settings of the service: Settings → Backup and Sync → High quality (unlimited storage)

3.Using a file manager with a recovery function

If you don't find video in the MIUI and Google Photos Recycle Bin, you'll need to move to specialized tools, and you can install a file manager on Redmi 8 Pro that scans deleted files.

We recommend starting with DiskDigger:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Run and select Full Scan (if there is root) or Basic Scan (no root).
3. Wait for the process to be completed (on the Redmi 8 Pro with 64 GB of memory, it will take 10–30 minutes).
4. Filter the results by video type and highlight the desired files.
5. Click Restore and save the video to a safe place (e.g., on the SD-map).

⚠️ Note: In basic scanning (without root), DiskDigger will only find thumbnails of video (files with the.thumb extension.

Install DiskDigger or GT Recovery | Connect your phone to charge (power-consuming process) |Free 1–2 GB of internal storage | Turn off battery optimization for recovery application |Do not write new files to your phone until the scan is complete-->

4. PC Recovery: Windows/macOS Software

If mobile apps don't work, connect Redmi 8 Pro to your computer and use desktop utilities, which scan internal memory at a low level and often find files that are not available for Android applications.

• 💻 Recuva (free, simple, but weak for Android).
• 💻 EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard (paid but with free test scan).
• 💻 Dr.Fone (specializes in mobile devices, supports and supports mobile devices) MIUI).
• 💻 7-Data Recovery (works well with the file system) F2FS, used in the Redmi 8 Pro).

The following is a step-by-step guide for EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode (MTP) phone-on).
2. Run the program and select Data Recovery from the device.
3. Mark the type of video files and click Scan.
4. After scanning, filter the results for extensions (.mp4,.mov,.3gp).
5. Preview the files found and save them to the hard drive of the PC.

An important nuance for the Redmi 8 Pro: If the phone is not detected in MTP mode, try:

• 🔄 Switch the connection mode in the notification curtain.
• 🔧 Enable debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Use the original Xiaomi cable (cheap cables often don't support) MTP).

5. Restoration through root access (for power users)

If the video is critical and previous methods have failed, root access remains, and on Redmi 8 Pro, it can be accessed through unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, giving you full control of the file system, but without warranty and can cause crashes.

The benefits of root for recovery:

• 🔍 Access to unindexed memory areas where video fragments may remain.
• 🛠 Use powerful utilities like PhotoRec or TestDisk via Termux.
• 📁 Ability to manually scan sections /data and /sdcard.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for begonia (Redmi 8 Pro)
3. Sweep through Magisk to get root.
4. Install Termux and execute the commands: pkg update & & pkg upgrade pkg install root-repo pkg install photorec photorec /storage/emulated/0/
5. Wait for the scan to be completed and check the files found in the folder /storage/emulated/0/recup_dir.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 8 Pro with MIUI 13+ unlock the bootloader resets all the data. Backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset before the procedure.

💡

Root access is a last resort. Try all other methods before you get it, as unlocking the bootloader erases data and can lead to a loss of warranty.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the video is critical (e.g., court proof or unique footage) and self-recovery failed, contact Xiaomi's official service center. they have professional chip-off hardware that reads data directly from the memory chip.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 💰 Cost of service: from 5 000 to 20 000 rubles (depending on the complexity).
• ⏳ Timeframe: 3-4-10 working days.
• 📄 Documents: passport and purchase check (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 🔒 Privacy: Check if the specialists will view the recovered files.

The addresses of Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the official website.

• 📞 Call and check if they are engaged in data recovery (not all centers provide this service).
• 📱 Do not try to repair the phone or repair it yourself, which can make it difficult for the specialists.

Alternatively, data recovery labs like HDD Recovery or Data Extractor work with any device, but the cost can be higher than in a Xiaomi service center.

7.Prevention: How to Avoid Losing Video in the Future

To avoid the problem of deleted videos, set up Redmi 8 Pro according to these recommendations:

• ☁️ Cloud Backups: Enable Autoboot in Google Photos (Settings) → Backup and sync. Use Mi Cloud (5GB for free) to back up your gallery.
• 📁 Local Copies: Transfer important videos to your site regularly SD-Install FolderSync to automatically copy files to the cloud.
• 🔄 Settings MIUI: Turn off automatic cart cleaning: go to Settings → Warehouse → Recycle bin and install Never. Increase the basket limit to maximum (10GB).

Hidden MIUI function: Redmi 8 Pro can enable accidental removal protection.

1. Open the gallery and tap on three points → Settings.
2. Activate the option to Confirm Deletion.
3. Enable Protect Important Files and add video folders to it.

💡

On Redmi 8 Pro, you can create a hidden folder in the MIUI gallery: highlight the video → “More” → “Hide” Files will remain in memory, but will not appear in the main album.

FAQ: Frequent questions about video recovery on Redmi 8 Pro